Hampi - Karnataka

Saying – “Hampi is a fascinating destination”, would be an understatement.
An extraordinary amalgamation of history and nature spread across an area of 26sq/km; speckled with boulders and vegetation, surrounded on 3 sides by rocky granite hills and by the Tungabhadra river on its 4th side .
Hampi is an extraordinary destination; it is the 14th century ruined capital of the powerful and prosperous Vijaynagar dynasty and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The ruins of Hampi are strewn with uncountable huge boulders, creating a bizarre, surreal landscape that forces the visitor to wonder about their origin. Some of the enormous boulders are stacked over oneanother and some are split vertically making their presence impossible to explain and comprehend. These boulders were used to create the palaces and monuments of Hampi; the juxtaposition of the boulders and monuments crafted from those boulders give the impression that the monuments actually emerged out of the boulders themselves.

Hampi  Ruins
Hampi was reputedly grander than Rome in its time. The monuments, although in ruins, still depict the grandeur and wealth that once endowed the Vijayanagar Empire. It was born out of a resurgent Hinduism, which pledged to oppose the incursions of the Delhi Sultanate into the Deccan. The monuments include grand palaces, gateways and temples that remain mute reminders of the prosperity and magnificence of the Vijayanagara Empire. The level of craftsmanship and artistry of the ancient sculptors is  in the architecture of the ruins that is unparalleled.
Hampi was named after the Kannada word Hampe, a derivative of the word Pampa, which is the old name of the Tungabhadra River. It was also known as Vijayanagara and Virupakshapura named after the  Virupaksha, the deity of the Vijayanagara rulers.
The Vijayanaagr empire was a thriving center of music, art and literature which extended through Karnataka, Andhra and Maharashtra. The driving vision of the rulers of this kingdom was to re-invigorate the Indian culture, temples and work towards the welfare of its citizens. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire from 1336 – 1565; afterwards it was devastated in war by the Deccan conquerors reduced to ruins. 

 Hampi was declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1986. 

Sights

• Shri Virupaksha Temple
• Prasanna Virupaksha Temple
• Shri Vijayavitthala Temple
• Stone Chariot
• Kodanda Rama Temple
• Hazari Rama Temple
• Ugra Narashimha
• King's Balaance & Audience Hall
• Elephant Stable
• Stepped Well
• Matanga Hill

Travel Information
Connectivity :
Nearest Airport : Hospet (14 km / 30 mins), Bangalore (350 km / 5.5 hrs)
Nearby Destinations / Attractions :
Belur and Halebid : 138 Km / 3 hrs
Badami  : 141 Km / 3.5 hrs
Pattadakal : 152 Km / 3.5 hrs
Best time to visit and Climate :Pleaseant duing winter, Summers are hot and humid.